Personal Financial Advisors
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
Also called: Account Manager, Asset Analyst, Asset Manager, Budget Counselor, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Median pay
$105,070
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$50,190 – $357,020
People employed
266,800
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 4.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 6.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Personal Financial Advisors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What personal financial advisors do
- 01Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
- 02Analyze financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
- 03Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
- 04Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.
- 05Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
- 06Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Psychology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from personal financial advisors
- Financial Managers88% · +59%
- Investment Fund Managers88% · group pay
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents87% · −25%
- Management Analysts85% · −3%
- Treasurers and Controllers85% · group pay
Change into personal financial advisors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents96% · $78,660
- Investment Fund Managers90% · $166,570
- Fundraisers88% · $72,550
- Insurance Sales Agents88% · $62,280
- Treasurers and Controllers88% · $166,570
Majors that lead here
- Family Resource Management Studies, General
- Finance, General
- Financial Planning and Services
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.